Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I have completed my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering with a CGPA of 3.6. I am interested in pursuing a master's degree, but I am confused between specialising in Robotics, Renewable Energy, or Automotive Engineering. Could you please guide me on which field has better prospects? (Ali Ahmed, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Mr Ali, congratulations on achieving a commendable CGPA. All three fields you have mentioned are promising and have their own unique opportunities. If you are fascinated by cutting-edge technology and automation, Robotics would be a suitable choice, especially in research and development sectors. Renewable Energy is increasingly becoming a priority worldwide due to climate change concerns, making it a future-proof specialization with numerous opportunities in green energy projects. Automotive Engineering, particularly in electric vehicles, is also a growing field. Your decision should be based on your passion and interest in either working with sustainable solutions, automation, or automotive innovations.

Q2: Dear sir, I have completed my Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and I am currently working in a news agency. I want to enhance my qualifications and career growth. Should I opt for a Master’s in Public Relations or Media Studies? Please guide me. (Sara Khan, Rawalpindi)

Ans: Dear Sara, considering your background in Mass Communication and current experience, both Public Relations (PR) and Media Studies can offer good career prospects. If you are interested in strategic communication, brand management, and crisis communication, then a Master’s in Public Relations would be more suitable. On the other hand, if you wish to delve deeper into media theories, content creation, and research in the media field, then Media Studies would be ideal. Since you are already in the news agency sector, PR could provide a more diversified skill set for your career growth.

Q3: Dear sir, I have done my graduation in Software Engineering with a CGPA of 3.3. I want to pursue a career in Data Science or Artificial Intelligence (AI), but I am confused about whether to do a Master's in Data Science or AI. Please suggest which one would be more beneficial for me. (Zainab Malik, Faisalabad)

Ans: Dear Ms Zainab, both Data Science and AI are high-demand fields with great potential. If you are interested in data analysis, machine learning, and statistical modeling, a Master’s in Data Science would be the right choice. It covers a broad range of data-related skills applicable across various industries. However, if you are more inclined towards developing intelligent algorithms, deep learning, and neural networks, then AI would be a better fit. Given your background in Software Engineering, either field can complement your skills well, but consider where your passion lies.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I completed my BA with majors in Economics and Sociology in 2021. I want to continue my studies abroad, preferably in Canada or Australia. Could you advise which country would be better for a master's in Public Policy or International Development? - (Maryam Sheikh, Quetta)

Ans: Dear Ms Maryam, both Canada and Australia have excellent academic programmes and institutions for Public Policy and International Development. Canada, known for its multicultural environment and strong public sector, offers a variety of programs focusing on sustainable development, public administration, and governance. It also provides ample opportunities for internships and work placements in government and NGOs. Australia, on the other hand, has a growing focus on Asia-Pacific regional policies and international relations. If you are looking for a more diverse global perspective, Canada might be slightly more advantageous. However, both countries are excellent choices depending on your career goals.

(Syed Azhar Husnain Abidi is a renowned educationist in Pakistan, with more than 20 years of experience as provider of education counselling services. He has represented Pakistan in over 100 national and international seminars, conferences and fora. He is a recipient of the most coveted civil award Tamgha-e-Imtiaz).